West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-06-03

Growth Of the Clothing Trade--A Pro-
Gtable ertaking-ImPOrtatiOn of
Diamonds-Cigars and Tobacco.
Ofan New York commercial exchanges tho
Hebrews are now recognized as among the
most influential members. The yice-chalr-
man Of the stock exchange, the treasurer OF
the prolluce exchange and the treasurer OF
the metal exchange are all Hebrews. In
these institutions, as well as the cotton and
petroleum exchanges, they are prominent as
directors. and they are also identified with
many Of the great railway, steamship and IN
surance companies. IN banking alone the
New York Hebrews represent capital Of
S1O),O0O,O0O The prominent part taken oy
them in the negotiation Of the most lnapor-
tant government leans end railway opera,
tons is too well known to call tor speclal
comment, their immense influence in this and
other leading cities being generally recoSN
mixed.
The most striking evidence OF Hebrew
progress may be witnessed on Broadway,
which. within the past fifteen years, has
undergone a complete transformation by the
transfer Of the retail trade to the uptown
tborop-hfares and the invasion by Hebrew
from Canal street to Union square the occu-
pants of almost all are Hebrews, over l,OOO
wholesale firms out of a total of 200 bemgof
that persuasion. On the day OF atonement,
when nearly all of these establishments are
closed. the street for the length OF nearly tive
miles presents a holiday appearance. The
sieus of Hebrew firms also predominant tho
streets contiguous TO Broadway within the
territory named, which is almost wholly dc
voted to the manufacture Of clothing, cloaks,
hats and caps, laceS, embroiderieS, millinery
goods, furs, Underg0rmentS, flowers and
feathers, shirts, dry goods and fancy goods
and kindred branches Of trade
Most remarkable has been the growth Of
the clothing trade, of which the Hebrews
control seven-eighths Of tho total several
hundred firms being now engaged in the man
ufacture of such goods, and some houses en-
blowing as high as 1000 hands Fifteen years
AGO the number engaged in this business was
insignificant compared with the preSentIlay,
when as many firms are found on a T,ngle
bIoc', as then existed in the entire city. An
important feature in the clothing trade to-
dav is the manufacture Of goods fully equal
to the best custom made, which some years
ago was considered impracticable to attempt.
Less than ten years back the manufacture
Of cloaks in this country was upon a very
small scale, tho entire business in this city
being confined TO less than one dozen firms
au told. The Hebrews were not slow to rec
oenizc the Importance Of this industry. They
were among the first to perceive that it was
destined 20 expand to an extent far beyond
its proportions at that time. They reasoned
that the growth of the country would
create a continued demand for their goods,
and many plunged into the business, the re-
suit being that there are now in this city
alone over 200 manufacturers in this branch,
almost all of whom are Hebrews. Few poo
ple have for a moment considered the extent
of the manufacture Of wooden shirts, and yet
the annual transactions aggregate many
millions. In this branch the Hebrews have
secured monopoly, it being estimated that
. 900 men and women are directly and in
directly employed by Hebrew firms alone.
The wealthisst concerns in the trade, which
include several millionaireS, were in moderate
/ circumstances when they embarked in the
business
When the wholesale manufacture of under
/ garments was first suggested some years since
the proposition was secuted. 1t was asserted
that goods turned out by machinery would
neither wear we'll nor be made to fit well.
/ The men who conceived the idea were laughed
at. Hebrews were among the first to enter
the business. They were convinced the under
taking would prove profitable, and were de-
termined 20 succeed. They did succeed.
They are now securely intrcnched in the
busiuesS. Ready made UndergaInentS are to
be found on sale in almost every city and
hamlet. and the Hebrews Of New York en-
gagged i'm their manufacture carry the names
Of 10000 employees on their pay rolls.
1t is estimated that the Hebrew capital en-
cagei in the importation, manufacture and
j75b.ug of diamonds, watches and Jewely IN
this country VIII not fall short Of S25,00O,0OO.
Year after year they have been absorbing the
trade. It i, predicted that before long the
absorption process VIII be exhausted for want
of material On which to feed OF late years
on increased tendency 70 manufacture has
been noted OF the 400 jobborS in this city
the Hebrews constitute the bulk and such
Roadway have they been making that many
older firms have been swept out Of existence,
incluHu- several who were a recognized
rou.c i'm the trade. over 100000 cases Of
lest tobacco are dcaltin in this country every
twe....ostl Two-thirds OF this amount is
coutr..pJly the Hebrew merchants on Pearl
and Water streets
Equally surprising has been the growth Of
tho c..artrode, in which the Hebrews have
risen li-her and higher until almost the en-
tire business has passed under their control
Some idea OF their operations may be formed
when 70 is stated that their production reaches
the enormous figure Of GOO,0OO,OO0 cigars per
anuum The manufacture of this immense
stock involves Unemployment of 5000 hands.
Tho manufacture of hats and caps, the inn
portation and manufacture of hides and
leather. furs, laceS and embrOideries, artificial
flowers and feathers, is largely controlled by
the Hebrews while the wine and liquor trade
is one of the most extensive in which they are
engaged. l. is estimated that the Hebrew
capital represented on the New York stock
exchange is not far from S6,OOO,0O0. The
holdings OF real estate by the Hebrews Of this
city is estimated at $4,000, OOO-New York
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